Next week, I’m off to Pittsburgh to teach at the Alpha SF/F/H Workshop for Young Writers, and then I’ll be attending Confluence, the Pittsburgh-area science fiction convention next weekend (July 27-29).

Also, on Tuesday, July 24, Kij Johnson, Catherynne M. Valente, Tamora Pierce, and I will be doing a reading at the Greensburg Barnes & Noble at 7PM.

For those of you attending Confluence, here’s my schedule of events during the convention:

Fri 5:00 pm | Oak
Are You a Member Here?

The question is whether we, as a group of readers (bunch of geeks, tribe of SF/F/H fans) and writers have gotten too exclusive–with tropes, words and shorthand universes–and if there is new stuff being written that would be accessible to Joe and Jill Common-Person. Would they have as much fun reading “A Game of Thrones” or “We Can Remember if for You Wholesale” as watching it?

Panelists: Steve Ramey, Lawrence Connolly, John Joseph Adams, Sarah Goslee

Fri 10:00 pm | Consuite
Kaffeeklatsch

An informal group discussion over coffee. Note: You typically must sign up for Kaffeeklatsches in advance, and I believe that is the case at Confluence as well.

Participants: Jonathan Maberry, John Joseph Adams
Sat 10:00 am | Main Lobby
Autographing

Participants: John Joseph Adams, James Daniel Ross

Sat 4:00 pm | Oak
Editors: What Do They Really Want?

Good question–here are a few, what do they have to say?

Participants: John Joseph Adams, Jeff Young, Eric Beebe, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, Sara Goslee

Sat 6:00 pm | Oak
Can’t we Just Get Along?

Stories, books, songs. With so many creative things to do, it’s only natural that sometimes we work together to create something beyond the scope and abilities of just one person. What are the good things and bad things about collaboration? Can compromise actually lead to a better result? Lyrics and music, Editors and writers ,the perils and perks of working together. Whether it be authors with authors, authors with songwriters, songwriters with songwriters, good results will always speak for themselves.

Participants: Jonah Knight, Rand Bellavia, John Joseph Adams, Christopher J Pisano

Sat 9:00 pm | Sycamore
Reading: The Living Dead 2

Short readings from the anthology The Living Dead 2, by several of the authors.

Participants: John Joseph Adams, Gary Braunbeck, Jonathan Maberry, David Barr Kirtley, Jamie Lackey